Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1887-07-08
Practical Economy.

The TIMES briefly announced in its last
issue the fact that the county levy for the
ensuing year, which had just been signed
by the county commissioners, shows the
marked reduction of II cents in the dol
lar of taxation from the rate for the past
fiscal year. This is most excellent and
satisfactory result; and speaks volumes
for the careful and economical admins
tration by the present efficient board of
commissioners.
When the Democratic nd administration of
county affairs came into power, in the fall
of 1885, after thirteen years of continuous
republican rule, they found the county
rate 100 cents. Notwithstanding the fact
that the rate had been about the same for
a number of years preceding, the present
board found that their predecessors had
failed for a number of years to meet the
liabilities of the county as they accrued,
and that there was an accumulation Of
outstanding liabilities amounting to sew
eral thousand dollars. To meet this de-
iciency it became necessary to make pro-
visions in the levy of 1886, which put the
rate up to 104 for last year.
But this deficiency having besn thus
provided for and paid off, the levy for the
present year, which provides for the
prompt discharge of every liability, is
brought down as we have before stated to
eighty seven cents and this in the face of
the fact that the basis of assessment has
been reduced since the incumbency of the
present board in the amount of some
tscenty thousand dollars
1t viii thus appear that the prediction
made in the campaign of 1885 by the
Democratic leaders and the TINES, have
been fully and almost literally verified. 1t
was then predicted that, under Democratic
rule and careful application of business
principles to our county affairs, the local
tax rate could be brought down to IS
cents. This our republican friends laughed
at as campaign buncombe. But now we
have the satisfaction of showing the peo-
pie that, notwithstanding the large reduc-
ton of the assessment basis above referred
to and the unusual expenses incident to
the removed cases from the adjoining
counties and otherwise accruing, the tax
rate Is brought down in a single year to
within two cents of the figures stated.
With only the customary expenses of the
county to provide for and under a con-
tinuance of the present excellent manage
ment, there is every reason to expect in
coming years further reduction.
This result shows on its face net re-
duction of Is per cent. from the republi-
can figures and when we take into con-
sideration the fact that the republicans
failed to meet the county liabilities as
they accrued, blu, left them to he dis
charged by their successors in office, and
the further fact of the diminished basis.
the actual reduction of taxation will be
seen to be even greater.
This marked reduction in taxation is
one of the practical results of good, hon
EST, economical, local government which
all can see and understand and none can
gainsay. 1t is credit to the purity and
integrity of local Democratic rule and
complimentary in the highest degree to
the capable, prudent and cautious gentle
men who compose the present board of
commissioners. With this strong practi-
cal demonstration of good, economical
local government no. doubt need be enter
tanned of the verdict of the people when
they go to the polls this fall. 1t will be
"well done thou good and faithful ser
wants.